A NEW HOUR

It looks like Jack Bauer is about to get a much-needed break. Fox, which announces its fall sked tomorrow, may follow ABC's lead with Alias and delay the launch of 24's fourth season until January, Variety reports. What's more, the network is toying with the idea of moving the real-time thriller from Tuesday to Monday to make room for the new medical drama House. Fox may also shift The O.C. to Thursdays at 8 pm opposite CBS's Survivor and NBC's Joey/Will & Grace combo. The network's logic here is pretty straightforward: Short of bringing Oliver back, this was simply the fastest way to kill the show.